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Malus fusca

Malus fusca (Raf.) C.K. Schneid.

Oregon Crabapple, Pacific Crabapple

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s): Malus diversifolia, Malus fusca var. levipes, Pyrus fusca, Pyrus rivularis

USDA Symbol: mafu

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

Small tree, often with several trunks and many branches, or a thicket-forming shrub; sometimes spiny.

The only western species of crabapple has oblong fruit; the three eastern species have round fruit. The strong wood can be made into superior tool handles. The fruit is used for jellies and preserves and was once eaten by Indians; grouse and other birds consume the crabapples in quantity.

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Fruit Type: Pome
Size Notes: Up to about 65 feet tall.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Yellow to purplish red.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: S. Alaska south near Pacific Coast to NW. California; to 1000' (305 m).
Native Habitat: Along streams and valleys; also on low slopes and in coniferous forests.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees
Special Value to Honey Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		FACW	FAC							FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Malus fusca in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Malus fusca in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Malus fusca

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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